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Russell Westbrook Says He’ll Play Beyond This Season After Non‑Guaranteed Kings Deal

He joins Sacramento to provide veteran ball‑handling off the bench on a one‑year minimum contract behind Dennis Schröder.

Overview

  • Sacramento signed Westbrook to a one‑year, roughly $3.6 million veteran‑minimum contract that multiple reports say is non‑guaranteed.
  • Team evaluators cited a need for experience behind Dennis Schröder after poor bench production last season, and coach Doug Christie values Westbrook’s edge.
  • Westbrook told reporters he does not plan to retire after 2025–26, reinforcing he intends to keep playing beyond this year.
  • A viral video from a KingsLakers preseason game showed him declining to sign Lakers jerseys, while he appeared upbeat and engaged at Sacramento’s fan fest.
  • The 2017 MVP declined a $3.5 million Nuggets option, went unsigned for months, and is expected to serve as the Kings’ reserve ball‑handler as the season opens this week.